A minimally invasive medical device for providing a radiation treatment

Abstract

 A minimally invasive medical device (10, 23, 31, 40, 41, 46, 49) for providing a selected and controlled radiation dosage to the vascular system of a patient. The device includes an outer sheath (15) with an inner elongated member (55) slidably disposed in the passage (59) of the outer sheath. The inner elongated member has an expandable distal portion (11) of spring wires (12, 13) looped about a distal end 14 of the inner elongated member. The inner elongated member also includes a proximal portion (17) extending from the proximal end (58) of the outer sheath for extending and withdrawing the expandable distal portion from the distal end (56) of the outer sheath. The spring wires of the expandable distal portion include a radiation source (18) alloyed with or disposed around the spring wires. The inner elongated member also alternatively includes a catheter (60) with an inflatable balloon (38) forming the expandable distal portion thereof.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to minimally invasive medical devices.

[0002] Occlusion of vessels such as coronary arteries, femoral or iliac vessels, can be repaired by minimally invasive procedures such as balloon angioplasty or laser ablation. During these procedures abrasion or dissection of the vessel wall may occur during reopening or enlargement and thrombi formation and occlusion may occur.

[0003] Alternatively, a stent may be employed to maintain the patency of the vessel. A problem with the use of a stent is that smooth muscle proliferates or intimal hyperplasia tends to occur within a period of six months.

[0004] According to the present invention, there is provided medical apparatus as defined in claim 1. The apparatus provides a controlled radiation treatment to a blood vessel.

[0005] The expandable distal portion includes spring wires looped about a distal end of the inner elongated member for expanding and contacting the wall of the blood vessel when extended from the distal end of the outer sheath. The radiation source comprises a radioactive material such as iridium and the like, which in the preferred embodiment is combined with the spring wires to form radioactive metal alloy spring wires. In another aspect, the radiation source forms a radioactive surface coating or layer disposed on the outer surface of the spring wires. In yet another aspect, the radiation source comprises radioactive material sleeves attached to the spring wires.

[0006] In another aspect of the invention, the medical device includes a wire guide extendable through the distal portion of the expandable spring wire arrangement or frame. To advantageously affect a greater mass of radioactive material, the spring wires are helically shaped. The medical device also includes a coil extending distally from and rotatable with respect to the spring wire basket. To minimize trauma to the vessel wall, the coil has a distal end with a greater flexibility than that of the proximal end and further includes a tapered mandril positioned longitudinally within the coil.

[0007] In yet another aspect of the invention, the inner elongated member includes a catheter with the expandable distal portion including an inflatable balloon. Advantageously, the radiation source comprises a radioactive fluid for inflating the balloon and treating the affected blood vessel. A second lumen is also included in the catheter for blood to perfuse therethrough.

[0008] The radiation dosage is preferably selected to be of a magnitude such that within a reasonable exposure time, for example 5 to 10 minutes or possibly even longer, the exposure of the wall of the vessel is sufficient that the wall moves away from the enlargement means, i.e., a balloon or a wire frame as shown in FIGs. 1 to 11 except FIG 9. Furthermore, the wall is expanded further by the radiation exposure. The strength of the radiation is thus predetermined.

Brief Description of the Drawing

[0009] 

FIG. 1 depicts a preferred embodiment of the minimally invasive medical device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts an enlarged cross-sectional view of the medical device of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2;

FIGs. 3-5 depict the medical device of FIG. 1 variously positioned in a coronary artery; and

FIGs. 6-11 depict various other aspects of the minimally invasive medical device of the present invention.

Detailed Description

[0010] Depicted in FIG. 1 is a preferred embodiment of a minimally invasive medical device 10 including an expandable wire arrangement 54, for providing a selective and controlled radiation treatment in a body passageway. This minimally invasive medical device has particular application as a percutaneously inserted intravascular device for controllably providing a therapeutic radiation dosage to an affected area of a coronary vessel that is deemed likely to experience restenosis. Restenosis typically occurs after a procedure to open or enlarge the vessel, such as balloon angioplasty, laser ablation, or stent placement.

[0011] Device 10 includes an outer sheath or tube 15 with inner elongated member 55, which is longitudinally and slidably disposed through passage 59 of the outer sheath or tube. Inner elongated member includes an expandable distal portion 11 such as the expandable wire arrangement 54, such as preferably a stranded wire basket, which in an expanded condition extends from distal end 56 of the outer sheath. The stranded wire basket is formed from commercially available spring wires 12 and 13 of, for example, stainless steel, platinum or tantalum, that are looped about distal end 14 of the inner elongated member. The expandable wire arrangements 54 can alternatively be provided with central rod or wire attached to the distal end of the arrangement. The rod can be pulled or pushed relative to the arrangement 54 in order to expand or contract the arrangement. Wires 12 and 13 would not have to be of spring material when the rod is provided.

[0012] Device 10 further includes a radiation source 18 such as commercially available radioactive material, for example, iridium, which is combined with spring wires 12 and 13 to form radioactive metal alloy spring wires. Alternatively, a commercially available radioactive material surface coating 33 or outer layer is disposed about outer surfaces 36 and 37 of respective spring wires 34 and 35, as depicted in FIG. 8. Spring wires 12 and 13 extend proximally from the expandable wire basket portion through end cap 16 and outer sheath 15, which is formed from a commercially available polytetrafluoroethylene tube. Proximal end 17 of the inner elongated member or spring wires would extend beyond the proximal end of the sheath to provide a convenient grip or handle for extending and withdrawing the expandable wire basket from and into the outer sheath. When a central rod is provided, the radioactive material can be associated with that rod and not with the wires 12 and 13. The radioactive material can be provided by other means internal to the basket or member.

[0013] FIG. 2 depicts an enlarged cross-sectional view of expanded wire arrangement, frame, or basket 54 of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2. Spring wires 12 and 13 are looped at distal end 14 of the inner elongated member and affixed to one another using, for example, suture material 57 or a suitable medical grade adhesive. In a preferred embodiment, radiation source 18 is commercially available iridium which has been alloyed with stainless steel to form spring wires 12 and 13.

[0014] When device 10 is introduced into the vascular system of a patient, it is, for example, approximately 95 cm in length and 8 French (2.7 mm or .105") in diameter when the expandable distal portion is collapsed and retracted within the outer sheath. Expandable distal portion 11 is approximately 7 mm long and 3 mm in diameter when extended from the sheath to assume an open, expanded condition that allows the device to center itself in the vessel lumen. To accommodate coronary arteries, the maximum outside diameter of the expandable distal portion when in a fully expanded condition preferably falls in a range of 0.5 to 4.0 mm. However, the lengths and diameters of device 10 and expandable distal portion 11 can be adjusted to accommodate large or small blood vessels or any other body passageways desired to be irradiated. The word "expandable" means either self-expanding or being capable of expansion by other means such as the rod.

[0015] FIGs. 3-5 depict coronary artery 22 with artery lumen 19 partially occluded by intimal hyperplasia and smooth muscle cell proliferation at vessel region or treatment site 20. FIG. 3 depicts device 10 positioned in the lumen of the coronary artery with expandable distal portion 11 in the partially occluded treatment site for providing short-term, localized irradiation of the coronary artery wall. When sheath or tube 15 is pulled proximally as depicted in FIG. 4, expandable distal arrangement or frame portion 11 extends therefrom or is extended by a rod, and opens to an expanded condition. Wires 12 and 13, which can include a radioactive metal alloy, atraumatically rest against the inner surface, or intimal layer, of coronary artery wall 21 and the proliferation of cells thereon As a result, the spring wires are positioned away from the center of the artery lumen for minimizing the interruption of blood flow therethrough.

[0016] FIG. 5 depicts artery 22 after a short-term, localized radiation treatment with lumen 19 widened beyond the extent of the wires about the treatment site. The spring wires of the expandable frame portion are no longer in contact with the artery wall. It is to be noted that with this form of apparatus, the radiation of the wall of the artery has caused the latter to expand beyond the environs of the expanded distal portion. To remove device 10 from the coronary artery, sheath or tube 15 is pushed distally over expandable distal basket portion 11 for collapsing the spring wires and containing them in the sheath. Collapse could alternatively be achieved by initially pushing on the central rod to collapse the cage and then to pull on the rod and the elongated member so that they are confined within sheath 15.

[0017] FIG. 6 depicts a minimally invasive medical device 23, which includes an expandable wire arrangement such as a basket 24 similar to device 10 except for the radiation source. The radiation source includes a plurality of commercially available radioactive iridium material tubular sleeves 25 disposed around outer surfaces 26 and 27 of spring wires 28 and 29 using soft solder 30, as depicted in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of expandable arrangement 24 of FIG. 6 taken along the line 7-7. Alternatively, the plurality of radioactive material tubular sleeves 25 is affixed about the outer surface of the spring wires by crimping.

[0018] FIG. 8 depicts minimally invasive medical device 31, which includes expandable distal portion or arrangement 32 and the radiation source in the form of a radioactive surface coating 33 or a radioactive outer layer disposed on outer surfaces 36 and 37 of respective spring wires 34 and 35. The surface coating includes a plastic material with radioactive iridium particles dispersed throughout. The outer layer includes radioactive iridium plated on the spring wires.

[0019] FIG. 9 depicts minimally invasive medical device 40, which represents another aspect of the invention The inner elongated member of this alternative embodiment includes a dual lumen balloon catheter 60 distally extended from outer sheath 61. The balloon catheter includes an expandable distal portion such as an inflatable balloon 38 for expanding and atraumatically contacting blood vessel wall 62 about a treatment site. The balloon provides for centering the device in a blood vessel lumen. One lumen of the catheter provides for inflating the balloon with radioactive fluid 39, and another lumen allows blood perfusion through the catheter to the portion of the blood vessel lumen on the other side of the expanded balloon. The radiation source of this device such as radioactive fluid 39 is injected into the balloon for irradiating the treatment site.

[0020] FIG. 10 depicts a minimally invasive medical device or apparatus 41, which represents yet another embodiment of the invention. Device 41 includes a plurality (eight) of interweaved wires 42 attached about distal end 43 of an inner elongated member if the wires are of spring material, then the distal end 43 of the wires can be soldered (44) to the inner rod 45 or guide. If the wires are not of spring material, they can be expanded by moving proximally the end 43 to the end of the sleeve thereby expanding the wires. The wire guide 45 is depicted extending through device 41 for facilitating advancement of the device through the vascular system and to the treatment site of a patient. Radioactivity of the wall of the vessel is provided by making guide 45 of radioactive material at least partially, and/or by providing radioactive material in or more of wires 42 in a similar manner to the previous embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 11 depicts minimally invasive medical device 46, which represents yet another embodiment of the invention. The device includes expandable wire portion 47 and radiation source 48 in the form of a surface coating or an outer layer disposed thereon. Expandable distal portion 47 includes a plurality (four) of helically positioned wires 49 attached about distal end 50 using, for example, soft solder. Device 46 further includes swivel connection 51 extending between the plurality of four helical wires 49 and flexible wire guide coil 52. The flexible coil provides a deflectable, atraumatic means for maintaining the position of the wire basket in a body passageway during a therapeutic procedure. The flexible wire guide coil is positioned over a tapered mandril or, alternatively, a straight length of round wire and a safety wire, so that flexible wire guide coil 52 exhibits a gradual increase in flexibility toward distal end 53 thereof. Swivel connection 51 provides for the rotation of expandable basket portion 46 while flexible coil 52 remains stationary.

[0022] It is to be understood that the above-described minimally invasive intravascular medical device for providing a radiation treatment in a body passageway is merely an illustrative embodiment of the principles of this invention and that other devices, instruments, or apparatus may be devised. In particular, it is contemplated that a radioactive material other than an iridium material may be used as a radiation source. It is further contemplated that many commercially available radially expandable medical arrangements may be provided to attach a radiation source about the expandable portion thereof for providing the radiation treatment to a body passageway and, in particular, preventing intimal hyperplasia and smooth muscle proliferation which causes stenosis or restenosis of a blood vessel passageway. Although described as being particularly applicable to the vascular system using percutaneous insertion techniques, it is contemplated that the minimally invasive device is applicable for providing treatment to the pulmonary system as well as the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment of the biliary and urinary system are also contemplated with expandable medical devices such as wire baskets, particularly adapted with the radiation source for treating the particular anatomical system.

[0023] In each of the embodiments described, the radiation means is part of the expandable means such as frames that are used to expand the wall of the vessel, and as long as the expandable means stays in position, the radiation also stays in position and consequently radiates the wall throughout the expansion period.

[0024] An alternative in each of these embodiments, is to only provide the radiation arrangement once the expansion has been achieved. That radiation can be supplied within the expandable frame, such as on the end of the guide wire. It can be withdrawn prior to withdrawal of the expandable frame or with the frame. Such alternatives provide much more precisely controlled degrees of radiation. It enables the operator to study the formation of the extra enlargement of the vessel wall beyond the outer extremes of the frame, and enables quick withdrawal once that state of affairs has been achieved.

Claims

1. A minimally invasive medical apparatus for providing radiation treatment to the wall of a passage in a patient, said apparatus comprising:

a tube or sheath having a distal end, a proximal end, and a passage extending longitudinally therein;

an inner elongated member having an expandable distal portion and a proximal portion slidably disposed relative to said passage, said proximal portion extending from said proximal end of said outer sheath for extending and withdrawing said expandable distal portion from and to said distal end of said outer sheath, said expandable distal portion having an expanded condition when extended from said distal end of said outer sheath in order to expand the said wall of the patient, and means for providing radiation at said expandable distal portion in order to irradiate the expanded wall.

2. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said expandable distal portion includes a frame or an inflatable balloon, expandable when extended or released from the tube or sheath distal end.

3. Apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein said expandable distal portion includes a plurality of loops of wire.

4. Apparatus of claim 2, wherein said radiation is provided by radioactive material on or in or combined with said frame or inflatable balloon.

5. Apparatus of claim 3 or 4, wherein the radioactive material is provided on a surface coating on the wires, or forms an alloy with the material of the wires.

6. Apparatus of claim 3 or 4, wherein said radiation comprises radioactive material sleeves disposed around said wires.

7. Apparatus of claim 2, further including a wire guide extendable through the frame and supporting radioactive material.

8. Apparatus of claim 3 or 4, wherein the wires are spring wires and for example are helically shaped.

9. Apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a coil extending distally from and rotatably connected to said spring wires, the distal end of the coil optionally having greater flexibility than that of said proximal end.

10. Apparatus of claim 9 wherein said coil includes a tapered mandril positioned longitudinally in said coil.

Drawing